Collapsible tepee tent configuration using a camera tripod stand

ABSTRACT

This patent application is for a collapsible tepee tent configuration using a camera tripod stand. Entrance to the tepee tent is made possible by the use of a zipper fitted to the bottom part of one tepee tent wall. In one version of the present invention, holes on each of the three tepee tent walls provide ventilation as well as a means for the tepee tent user to position a photographic or video camera lens through the tepee tent wall. The said holes can be covered by mesh fabric, by the tepee tent user, in order to prevent intrusion of insects. The said holes can also be covered by water-proof fabric, by the tepee tent user, in order to prevent rain water from entering the tepee tent.

[0001] This patent application is for a collapsible tepee tent configuration using a photographic camera tripod stand. The invention provides photographers with a light-weight and economical means of shelter while outdoors. The application is filed by Thomas Hilmersen, 555 South 44^(th) Street, Boulder, Colo. 80305. Tel. (303) 494 0824.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] U.S. Patent Documents U.S. Pat. No. 0396846 January 1889 Ancel 135/92 U.S. Pat. No. 2186535 January 1940 MacGeorge 135/1 U.S. Pat. No. 4067346 January 1978 Husted 135/153 U.S. Pat. No. 4742837 May 1988 Rise 135/66 U.S. Pat. No. 4960144 October 1990 Wheatley, et al 135/123 U.S. Pat. No. 5400541 March 1995 Ennamorato, et al  43/1 U.S. Pat. No. 6003749 December 1999 Sabo 224/576 U.S. Pat. No. 6009673 January 2000 Adams  52/79.1

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

[0004] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a tepee tent for a camera tripod stand and more particularly pertains to providing shelter for photographers through a tent in the form of a tepee positioned about the center of the camera tripod. The camera tripod stand itself is not part of the present invention.

[0006] Outdoor photographers frequently find themselves carrying heavy loads of equipment on their travels. On multi-day hiking trips, the camera equipment may include one or more cameras, lenses, flashlights, and tripod stands. In addition, the photographer may carry food, additional clothing, a sleeping bag, a thin air mattress, and a tent. If a tent is brought, this item will significantly contribute to both the weight and bulk of the total load carried. Hence, if there were a means of reducing the weight and bulk of the tent, this would be greatly appreciated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is for a collapsible tepee tent configuration using a photographic camera tripod stand. The tripod stand itself is not part of the present invention. The tepee tent consists of a plurality of sheets of water-proof fabric joined together to form a tepee structure. The top part of the tepee contains a ring, through which the camera attachment screw of a camera tripod can be fitted. A small dome screws onto the camera attachment screw of the tripod, thus keeping the tepee tent fabric in place and sealing the top part of the tepee tent. Each of the bottom corners of the tepee tent contains a loop or ring, through which a peg can be fitted and fastened to the ground. A guy line is attached to the top part of each of the walls comprising the tepee tent. The end of each guy line forms a loop, through which a peg can be fitted and fastened to the ground. Entrance to the tepee tent is made possible by the use of a zipper fitted to the bottom part of one tent wall. In one version of the present invention, holes on each of the tepee tent walls provide ventilation as well as a means for the tepee tent user to position a photographic or video camera lens through the tepee tent wall. The said holes can be covered by mesh fabric, by the tepee tent user, in order to prevent intrusion of insects. The said holes can also be covered by water-proof fabric, by the tepee tent user, in order to prevent rain water from entering the tepee tent.

[0008] The invention is a potentially simple, economical and light-weight means of providing shelter for outdoor photographers. By eliminating the need for the photographer to carry the majority of the metal items typically comprising a collapsible tent, the invention makes it possible for the photographer to significantly reduce the bulk and weight of his load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It shows how a typical camera tripod is used as a means of supporting the tent fabric, and how several ground attachments and guy lines provide additional support. The camera tripod is not part of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the front wall of the tent is not shown.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the present invention, illustrating how the tepee tent entrance may be designed. FIG. 2 also shows a feature of a second version of the tepee tent invention, whereby the tepee tent walls are provided with holes allowing both ventilation and candid photography.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows a detail of the present invention, specifically how the tent fabric is attached to the camera tripod head. The view is through the upper portion of the tent.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows a detail of one version of the present invention, whereby the tepee tent walls are provided with holes allowing both ventilation and candid photography. The figure illustrates a potential design of the holes.

[0013]FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the present invention, whereby the tepee tent walls are provided with holes allowing both ventilation and candid photography. The figure shows the tepee tent fabric and attachments laid flat on the ground. In the figure, the ventilation holes are closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a camera tripod is placed in the center of the tepee tent. The tripod's legs (1) and center column (5) are adjusted to match the desired height of the tepee tent. The center column lock (3) is tightened to prevent the center column (5) from inadvertently sliding down. The camera tripod's head (4) is positioned such that its camera attachment screw (5) is vertical. The fastening knob (6) located on the camera attachment screw (5) is then turned to a position near the top of the camera attachment screw (5). Further, the camera attachment screw (5) is fitted through the ring (7) located at the top of the tepee tent. A small dome (8) is then screwed onto the camera attachment screw (5), thus holding the tepee tent fabric in place.

[0015] Still referring to FIG. 1, the tepee tent walls (9) and floor (10) are laid in place and secured to the ground by pegs (12) fitted through wire loops (11) attached to the corners of the tepee floor (10). Finally, if further support for the tepee tent is needed, guy lines (13) attaching to the top of the tepee tent via the reinforcing ring (7) can be tightened and secured to the ground by pegs (12) fitted through loops (11) attached to the end of each guy line (13).

[0016]FIG. 2 shows the outside of the tepee tent invention. The illustration indicates a possible placement and design of the tepee tent entrance and ventilation holes (16). Entrance to the tepee tent is made possible by the use of one zipper (14) fitted on the entrance wall (9) of the tepee tent, and another zipper (14) fitted between the entrance wall (9) and the tent floor (10). The entrance door formed when both zippers (14) are unzipped can be held in an open position by attaching a strip of velcro fabric (not shown in FIG. 2) sewn to the inside of the tent door to another strip of velcro fabric (15) sewn to the outside of the entrance wall (9).

[0017] Still referring to FIG. 2, the ventilation hole (16) is positioned such that the tepee tent user can photograph through the hole (16) while sitting in an upright position. A flap (17) of tent wall fabric can be held in an open position by attaching a strip of velcro fabric sewn to the outside of the flap (not shown) to another strip of velcro fabric (not shown) sewn to the outside of the tepee tent wall (9), above the ventilation hole (16). The flap (17) can be held in a closed position, thus providing protection against weather, by attaching a strip of velcro fabric (18) sewn to the inside of the flap (17) to a strip of velcro fabric (not shown) sewn to the outside of the tepee tent wall (9), below the ventilation hole (16).

[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the camera tripod stand's head (4) is positioned in a vertical tmanner, with the camera attachment screw (5) positioned vertically. The tripod head's fastening knob (6) is shown. When the tepee tent is to be installed, the fastening knob (6) should be positioned near the top of the camera attachment screw (5). None of the items comprising the camera tripod stand are part of the present invention, although they are necessary for the utilization of the tepee tent. The present invention includes a hole reinforced with a ring (7), through which the camera attachment screw (5) is fitted. The ring (7) is located at the top of the tepee tent, where the three tepee tent walls (9) converge. Furthermore, the tepee tent guy lines (13) are attached to the ring (7) that reinforces said hole. Said ring (7) is fastened to the tripod stand by a small dome (8) which is screwed onto the camera attachment screw (5). Said dome (8) also prevents water from leaking into the tepee tent through the ring (7).

[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, one of the ventilation holes (16) is seen. The ventilation hole (16) is, in this version of the present invention, equipped with a flap (17) made out of the same fabric as the tepee tent walls. The ventilation hole (16) is also equipped with a flap (19) made out of mesh. The mesh flap (19) is located underneath the water-proof flap (17), when both flaps are in the closed position. The mesh flap (19) provides ventilation while protecting the occupant of the tepee tent from the intrusion of insects. Said mesh flap (19) can be in either an open or a closed position. In the closed position, said mesh flap (19) is attached to a velcro strip (18) located below the ventilation hole (16), thus covering said hole (16). In the open position, the mesh flap (19) is attached to a velcro strip (18) located on the inside of the water-proof flap (17). The water-proof flap (17) is attached to a velcro strip (18) located above the ventilation hole (16), by means of a velcro strip (18) located on the outside of the water-proof flap (17). The water-proof flap (17) is thus also placed in the open position.

[0020] Again referring to FIG. 4, the water-proof flap (17) can be placed in the closed position by first placing the mesh flap (19) in the closed position, then attaching the water-proof flap (17) to the mesh flap (19) by means of the velcro strips (18) located on the inside of the water-proof flap (17) and outside of the mesh flap (19). Finally, the water-proof flap (17) can be placed in a semi-open position by means of two rigid supports (20) flexibly attached to the inside of the water-proof flap (17). Said supports (20) can be attached to the mesh flap (19), while said mesh flap (19) is in the closed position, thus putting the water-proof flap (17) in a semi-open position which enables air to travel through the ventilation hole (16) without letting insects or water through said hole (16). The supports (20) are held in place by means of velcro strips (21) attached to the loose end of said supports (20) and to the outside of the mesh flap (19).

[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, the tepee tent can be seen as if laid out flat on the ground. It can be seen from the figure that the three tepee tent walls (9) and the tepee tent floor (10) are attached, forming one large piece of fabric. The figure also shows the top hole, reinforced with a ring (7), as well as the loops (11) through which pegs can be fitted and stuck into the ground for support. The figure also shows the zippers (14) comprising the tepee tent entrance, as well as the ventilation flaps (17). Said ventilation flaps (17) are in this illustration shown in the closed position, covering up the tepee tent's ventilation holes. Finally, the small velcro strip (15) to which the entrance door can be attached is indicated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tepee tent especially designed to be supported by a camera tripod stand, such tent comprising: fabric cut in such a way as to form a tent in the form of a tepee, with three generally triangular side walls having lower large edges coupled together and having upper small edges coupled together and having a triangular base coupled at its edges to the lower large edges of the side walls, the side walls and floor being coupled together at their adjacent edges to form a tepee shaped shelter; a ring, with an aperture permitting a camera tripod stand's camera attachment screw to be fitted through it, attached to the tent fabric at or near the upper small edges of the tent's side walls; a dome which can be screwed on to the camera tripod stand's camera attachment screw and which has a diameter that exceeds that of the aforementioned ring; a door formed into one of the side walls adjacent to the base for allowing an entrance and an egress to the space within the shelter space; a plurality of retention loops with apertures located at each corner of the floor with associated stakes for securement thereof to the ground when the shelter is in a deployed orientation.
 3. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tent door comprises a zippered opening on one of the tent walls.
 4. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein guy lines are attached to the tent in such a way as to permit the tent to be made more rigid when said guy lines are tightened.
 5. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the tent walls are fitted with one or more holes of a size permitting a large camera lens to be fitted through them.
 6. The tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the holes can be covered by a flap of water-proof fabric attached to the tent fabric.
 7. The tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the holes can be covered by a flap of mesh fabric attached to the tent fabric. 